Client projects: BNP Paribas Fortis Factor NV

Choosing a central location

BNP Paribas Fortis Factor sa/nv is a subsidiary of BNP Paribas Fortis and mainly operates in the business-to-business market. The old building in Turnhout was not only too big, it was also outdated. A complete renovation was needed, and so this project involved a major investment. That’s one of the reasons why they chose to move to Turnova, in the fascinating city centre. Until 1974 this site housed the Brepols printing company, one of the largest printers in Europe. After they abandoned the site, 3 derelict hectares were left behind. The city decided to breathe new life into this district and Turnova was born. In the summer of 2019 BNP Paribas Fortis Factor moved in.

Flexibility in the heart of the city

BNP Paribas Fortis Factor contacted Kinnarps and asked them to decorate and fit out the new offices entirely. A thorough needs analysis showed clearly there was demand for enough meeting rooms. Since it’s a flexible, open-plan office, it is important to create enough places where people can talk privately: consultation areas, meeting rooms, informal meeting areas, etc.

Thanks to the fully-electric, adjustable desks, all employees can easily set up their own flexible workplace in the open-plan setting. In between the workspaces we organised several co-creation areas: this not only improves the acoustics and adds colour to the landscape, it also takes some pressure off the meeting rooms. For a quick chat, people can use one of the cosy corners in the open space without having to occupy an entire room.

The 12 meeting rooms are all decorated differently: the choice of furniture instantly reveals what the purpose of the room is. The break-out area exudes creativity: beanbags, exercise balls, whiteboards ... everything you need for a creative brainstorming session is there.

Are you looking for privacy and silence? Just go to one of the 6 silent work areas, closed off from the open plan.

Creative play of colour and light

The workspaces and meeting rooms are all located around 2 central patios: this set-up ensures that incidence of natural daylight and also provides the option of meeting outside, weather permitting. BNP Paribas Fortis Factor also went all out for colour in the decoration of the open-plan office. Kinnarps Colour Studio and Kinnarps’ own interior designers played a major role in this: the different colours come together nicely and breathe warmth and cosiness.

Scandinavian style with a touch of colour

BNP Paribas Fortis Factor and Kinnarps were soon on the same page in terms of style and design of the spaces. “We were immediately charmed by the Scandinavian style of Kinnarps: homely, warm, comfy. It was exactly the kind of atmosphere we wanted for our offices,” says Maarten Van Miert, project manager at BNP. “In addition, our contact was also a clear single point of contact for the entire project: this made it so much easier to match the furnishings with the furniture. That was such great help to me as project manager."